Legal documents proposing that TJ become a long-term custodian alongside Katherine are expected to be filed by the 82-year-old's lawyer in Los Angeles Superior Court today (August 2) and a hearing will likely be ordered.

Katherine's lawyer told The AP of his hope that the arrangement will remove pressure from his client by allowing her to focus on the children's upbringing and not financial or logistical issues.

Michael's close friend Diana Ross was named in his will as a potential guardian to the children if Katherine is unavailable, but the singer has refused to comment on her part in the arrangement, saying: "All interests are best served if it remains private."